By Christine Habrle
CBN WorldReach

Q: “Do you know about who lives in heaven?”
A: “It’s for good people who do good things and go to temple.”

Q: “You believe in karma? If you have karma, will you be born in a different life?”
A: “We have to pay back one’s past deeds. Then we will have new life.”

Q: “Have you heard about Jesus?”
A: “I heard from a teacher and by reading a book in the class. They say Jesus is in Islam. This Jesus teaches people to do good things, which we do to attain salvation and have a happy life.”

But Jesus does not teach people to do good things to attain salvation, and have a happy life. The kids’ answers don’t surprise CBN Thailand staff. They know they have much work to do to in the mostly Buddhist country to teach the truth about Jesus.

The CBN WorldReach TV program Pen Dek helps with that. Pen Dek means “Being a Kid,” and it’s very popular with Thai young people. Each segment shares Christian values that encourage children to love one another, respect their parents and teachers, learn new life-skills, and become productive citizens.

Pen Dek host Karen K along with staff from CBN Thailand and a local church just held a fan event for the kids where they talked about God.

“The purpose of the ‘meet & greet’ event is to connect children with the local church,” says Saijai Chaiyasate, CBN Thailand’s Programming Manager. “We also wanted to introduce them to Jesus.”

After a few ice-breaker games and some skits Karen K asked an important question.

“Can I tell you about my friend Jesus?” asks Karen K.

The youngsters gave her permission and Karen shared her testimony about Jesus, and what He has done in her life. Then she along with two staff members from a local church, and the CBN Thailand team prayed with the children.

“Our mission at CBN Thailand is to share the Good News about who Jesus really is with the Thai people – no matter what their age!” says Chaiyasate.

Gifts and follow-up packets will be distributed to the kids through the local church with the purpose of building relationships, and winning young souls to the Lord. The team is well on its way to achieving that goal. After the Isaan “meet and greet” they asked a young girl who had never heard of Jesus before what she learned.

“I remember that Karen told me Jesus is with us,” says seven-year-old Nong Gratae. “He’s a counselor and He will help me.” Her answers are evidence that the message of the Gospel is successfully being planted in the hearts of the Thai children.